Gaglardi Square 18

Gaglardi Square

City Centre
City Parks & Facilities, Landmarks & Scenery

Corner of 2nd and Seymour

Philip Arthur Gaglardi (January 13, 1913 – September 23, 1995), sometimes known as Flyin’ Phil or even Sorry Phil, was a politician in the Canadian province of British Columbia. He served as Minister of Highways in the BC government from 1952 to 1968.

He was first elected to the legislature in the 1952 election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) as part of the British Columbia Social Credit League. The party had enough seats to form a minority government, but had no leader. Gaglardi ran for the post, but lost in a vote of caucus members by 10 to 9 to W.A.C. Bennett. Gagliardi became a leading member of Bennett’s cabinet.

His term as Minister of Highways was marked by rapid expansion of the province’s paved road system, as well as the completion of most of the major road bridges in British Columbia.

He is probably mostly remembered for his flamboyant style. He was first noted for the “Sorry for the delays” signs he had put up at road construction areas (hence, “Sorry Phil”).

What really got him noticed was how he managed to convince a reluctant W.A.C. Bennett to buy the government a Lear jet (hence, “Flyin’ Phil”). Premier Bennett was travelling in a newly inaugurated government-owned ferry to Prince Rupert. To demonstrate that the ferry was too slow for government business, he convinced a pilot friend to fly him to Prince Rupert in a Lear jet, thereby managing to get there before Bennett did. Gaglardi waited on the dock to greet the Premier with a purchase contract for the plane. The plane was quickly purchased.

Another explanation of Gaglardi’s nickname was his propensity for getting speeding tickets whilst driving in large American cars around the province checking on the progress of road construction.

He was forced to resign in 1968 over allegations he flew relatives in the government jet.

Subsequent to his political career, Gaglardi ran a successful hotel chain in Western Canada known as the Sandman Inns.

Gagliardi died on September 13, 1995.

Activity Stream

Sat, Jan 4, 2025 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Owl Triangle Winter Hike – KamloopsTrails
Tue, Dec 31, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Rivers Trail Winter Loop – KamloopsTrails
Fri, Dec 27, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Hiking the Middle Grasslands on the Snow
Tue, Dec 24, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Hiking the Paul Lake Trail
Fri, Dec 20, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Hiking in the Edith Hills
Mon, Dec 16, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Abbey Hills on the Snow
Thu, Dec 12, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Coal Hill on the Snow
Thu, Dec 12, 2024 at 8:00 am - David Suzuki posted on their blog: Plastics treaty failure shows need to curtail oil industry
Tue, Dec 10, 2024 at 2:27 pm - Kamloops Film Society posted on their blog: Now Hiring – The Kamloops Film Society
Sun, Dec 8, 2024 at 9:00 am - Doug Smith posted on their blog: Exploring the Dry Hills – KamloopsTrails
Full Stream

 

Newest Members

January 4, 2025 10:52 am - trickta
November 18, 2024 1:36 pm - Kamloops Players Society
November 10, 2024 12:40 pm - [email protected]
September 20, 2024 7:28 pm - Riddler
August 18, 2024 10:36 pm - MurMan
May 15, 2024 11:31 am - TheKFS
March 31, 2022 3:14 pm - Chris Rose Therapy Centre for Autism
January 17, 2022 9:12 am - Your DJ
May 31, 2021 12:46 pm - Deniel Lene Enriquez
May 24, 2023 10:10 am - Parkinson Society BC